Keep in mind that the current ordinance, enacted 7/7/09 by the Yakima City Council says that people who make illicit discharges SHALL be punished.  No wiggle room is currently in the ordinance, although the council stated that it will come back and amend the ordinance at a future date.

Non-Stormwater discharges are broken into three groups (Ecology 2007):

• Illicit Discharges
• Conditional Non-Stormwater Discharges
• Allowable Non-Stormwater Discharges

Each is explained in the following three sections with appropriate examples listed

(adapted from Ecology 2008 and RSWMP MODEL IDDE Ordinance 2009).

1.1.1 Illicit Discharges and Connections

Illicit discharges are the introduction of non-stormwater runoff, sewage, or hazardous materials into the public storm drain system through illicit connection and illegal dumping.

Illicit connections are physical connections to the storm drain system that have not been approved for storm water drainage by the facility owner and/or functions to convey a prohibited pollutant. Examples include an internal plumbing connection (e.g, washing machine or garage floor drain) or a service lateral cross-connection.

Illegal dumping is the intentional or inadvertent dumping of prohibited materials into the conveyance system, streets, inlets or basins, and the improper disposal of material on land that is then discharged to the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) when it rains.

Examples:

• Sanitary wastewater from improper sewage connections, exfiltration, or leakage
• Effluent from improperly operating/ or designated septic tank systems
• Fruit packing wash water
• Surface flow and irrigation drainage from feed lots and hobby farms
• Commercial car wash and wastewaters
• Radiator flushing wastewaters
• Engine degreasing wastes
• Improper oil disposal
• Leaky underground storage tanks
• Excess fertilizer or pesticides
• Laundry wastes
• Spills from roadway or other accidents
• Dewatering of construction sites
• Improper disposal of household toxic wastes
• Chemical, hazardous materials, and garbage
• Swimming pool cleaning wastewater and filter backwash